Our Beginnings and Evolution
Etta Projects was created in 2003 to honor the life and legacy of Etta Turner, a teenager who believed in the power of the individual to effect meaningful change. Though Etta Turner's young life ended tragically in November 2002 while she was in Bolivia as a Rotary International Exchange student, her vision of helping transcend poverty by creating deep friendships and harnessing the power of community participation lives on in our work today.
Etta Projects began with a mission to fight childhood malnutrition by building a feeding center that provided daily nutritious meals to children in need. At the same time, we empowered their mothers through leadership training and job-readiness skills. In 2005, we opened a second center, and by 2009, we proudly transitioned both centers to a local women’s organization, which continues to run them successfully, serving over 200 children every day.
Since 2009, Etta Projects has shifted its focus to improving public health in rural Bolivia. Our work centers on expanding access to safe water, sanitation, and healthcare. Through education, infrastructure development, and strong local partnerships, we strive to build vibrant and healthy communities.
Etta Projects began with two core programs designed to improve public health outcomes in rural Bolivian communities. The first is our WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Program, which provides communities with access to clean water through the construction of water distribution systems and Dry Composting Ecological Latrines. In addition to infrastructure, we train local Water Committees and families on personal hygiene, safe water practices, and the proper use and maintenance of latrines—ensuring lasting change through education and community ownership.
The second is our Community Health Promoter Training Program, a comprehensive two-year course that equips rural women with the skills to become certified Health Promoters. Participants learn to perform life-saving procedures, suture wounds, assist with childbirth, administer antibiotics, and educate their communities on disease prevention, family planning, nutrition, and health across all life stages. Upon graduation, these women become trusted health leaders who play a vital role in strengthening local healthcare from within.
After many years of training Community Health Promoters and collaborating with local clinics, our team became aware of the alarming situation in rural areas about HIV and STDs (Sexually Transmittable Diseases) rates, and the limited access to specific Sexual and Reproductive Health services for girls and women. This is why, in 2019 we started a pilot program about HIV Prevention and, after two years, another pilot project focused on Sexual and Reproductive Health services access (contraception, education, testing, etc.) and Girls Empowerment. Those two new programs have expanded and are currently being implemented to serve the population of the Integrated North of Santa Cruz.
Photo by Lisa Bontje
Our Approach
At Etta Projects, we believe that lasting change begins with connection and listening. Most of our initiatives start when local leaders, health professionals or even a past project’s beneficiary proposes to collaborate on the creation of a project in their community. We begin by visiting the community to conduct a thorough needs assessment. From there, we hold a series of community meetings to ensure that the proposed project aligns with local priorities, values, and expectations. These conversations help shape the project’s design and ensure community ownership from the very beginning.
In some cases, we identify critical needs through our fieldwork and then approach local leaders with ideas for potential solutions. If the community is interested, we work together to co-create a project plan. Only after this collaborative process do we begin seeking funding. Whether a project is initiated by the community or by our team, our approach is always participatory, respectful, and focused on empowering communities to lead their own development.
Our Workforce
Our impact is made possible by the collective efforts of our talented and visionary staff in both Bolivia and the United States, the expertise of leading professionals from diverse fields, strong local and international partnerships, and the generous support of volunteers from around the world.
We thrive at the intersection of collaboration—welcoming university students, Italian Peace Corps volunteers, Engineers Without Borders, doctors from both Bolivia and abroad, herbal medicine specialists, women’s empowerment trainers, and educators participating in continuing education retreats. Each of these contributors brings unique knowledge and passion, enriching our programs and deepening our impact on the communities we serve.
